Sporty's next car

[Cookie Monster]

He cannot finance it though. Dropping 20k on such an old car, at this stage of his life, makes it a bad option. I like M5's, but let's be realistic here.

He didn't say anything about his finances. He gave us his criteria and I'm suggesting the best car that I know of (and have some personal experience with). Whether or not he can drop $20k on a car is his call, not yours. Plus it sounds like he made this thread for fun because he doesn't even want to spend more than $5k on a car.

[Payman]

It's also not particularly great to drive.

Depends on his savings + income. Doesn't seem like they're strapped for cash.

Do it. 10 year old, 0-60 in 3.9 seconds $20,000 on the hood BMW M5 with 100,000 miles on the clock for a young New York renting couple planning to start a family. Bestest idea ever to come out of CarSpin.

[850CSi]

Do it. 10 year old, 0-60 in 3.9 seconds $20,000 on the hood BMW M5 with 100,000 miles on the clock for a young New York renting couple planning to start a family. Bestest idea ever to come out of CarSpin.

I'm not buying this till I leave NY

1. I'm not sure how 3.9 seconds is relevant
2. 100k miles is really pretty much nothing on these cars


Never claimed it was the most practical idea. It's certainly the best to drive by a country mile.

[sportyaccordy]

Or anything mundane or mainstream. No Civics, Accords, or Camrys. You're young and hip with a new and beautiful bride. Get something that says just that, but budget and practicality has to be important as well. I'm sticking to my suggestions.

I don't need a car to say that lol. But it will be a good excuse to get a nice car lol

[Payman]

He didn't say anything about his finances. He gave us his criteria and I'm suggesting the best car that I know of (and have some personal experience with). Whether or not he can drop $20k on a car is his call, not yours. Plus it sounds like he made this thread for fun because he doesn't even want to spend more than $5k on a car.

Makes sense, then, to look at something he can finance using his $5000 as a downpayment, still under warranty, still cool and fast. Audi A4, VW GTi, or maybe even a 3-series BMW.

[Payman]

1. I'm not sure how 3.9 seconds is relevant
2. 100k miles is really pretty much nothing on these cars


Never claimed it was the most practical idea. It's certainly the best to drive by a country mile.

Missed the leaving NY part. Is he planning to buy a house?

[Raza]

B7 S4 Avant
MkV/VI A3
Saab 9-5 Aero
E90 3 series wagon
Mazda RX-8 (easier to get a child seat into this than into a contemporary TL thanks to the suicide doors)
MkVI Golf GTI/TDI four door
B6 Passat
B5 Passat W8 wagon
E46 M3 and a bus pass for your kids


Lots of choices.

[Submariner]

Is a great interior an asset or a liability?

Kids are going to destroy the car.

I'm pretty sure you can get front and rear seat covers, from the factory too. 

[Raza]

I'm pretty sure you can get front and rear seat covers, from the factory too. 

Just put a plastic bag over the kids' mouths to catch all the vomit. 

[Laconian]

Just put a plastic bag over the kids' mouths to catch all the vomit.  

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!

[68_427]

IS300

[sportyaccordy]

Missed the leaving NY part. Is he planning to buy a house?

Hell yea... dont know when but it has to happen.

[sportyaccordy]

B7 S4 Avant More my speed
MkV/VI A3 GTI is cheaper
Saab 9-5 Aero Def would check out
E90 3 series wagon Deceptively quick, would consider
Mazda RX-8 (easier to get a child seat into this than into a contemporary TL thanks to the suicide doors) Not worth it for the gas mileage, as brilliant as it may be
MkVI Golf GTI/TDI four door I need to drive my buddy's MKV again to see what the hell the fuss is about. I didn't see it. Would rather an older VR6 version to be 100% honest
B6 Passat I guess, with the VR6 only though, if it came in stick
B5 Passat W8 wagon Nightmare
E46 M3 and a bus pass for your kids I would struggle with child seats in this if they fit at all... if they made this in a 4dr it would be no brainer


Lots of choices.

[Xer0]

Inevitability says you?re just going to end up with a G37 anyway.

[Raza]

I find it odd that you didn't like the MkV GTI, but would prefer an older, slower version from one of the two worst generations of Golfs, the ones that almost ruined the Golf's reputation due to being slow, not fun to drive, and unreliable.  It might be a feel thing.  The controls of the MkV feel very different from any Japanese car I've ever driven.  Better, but also different.

The B6 Passat 2.0T is a pretty quick car (it doesn't weigh that much more than a Jetta GLI), and again, the engine takes to light mods like an ECU tune really well.  2.0T plus $600 chip equals 25% more horsepower and nearly 50% more torque.  Plus, the stick only came in the basic models, so they'll be dirt cheap to buy.  Also worth looking at a CC, although they're not that practical.  My friend has one, and it was shocking how much more usable space my Jetta had for being much smaller. 

I suggested the A3 because I thought you might appreciate a little extra luxury over the GTI, though I probably wouldn't buy one myself; all benefits of that generation A3 are marginal.  I don't even think we got the AWD models in stick here.  And the RX-8 because it made it into your 20mpg cutoff and is easy to get child seats into.  Trunk's small though, don't know about a stroller.  Personally, I wouldn't buy one.  Horrible gas mileage, questionable reliability.  And the M3 was tongue-in-cheek. 

[Raza]

Inevitability says you?re just going to end up with a G37 anyway.

I hope that's not the fate of us all.  I can't see myself in a tarted up 4,000 pound Nissan.  But yeah, that would fit his needs pretty well. 

[cawimmer430]

Get a Fiat Panda. 

[sportyaccordy]

Inevitability says you?re just going to end up with a G37 anyway.

I do like the 1st gen G35. I could do a sedan. G37 is too heavy, too complicated and not much faster. Any connectivity gap could be closed by the aftermarket. Raza is def gonna wind up in a G37 convertible, once they make them in stickshift.

I find it odd that you didn't like the MkV GTI, but would prefer an older, slower version from one of the two worst generations of Golfs, the ones that almost ruined the Golf's reputation due to being slow, not fun to drive, and unreliable.  It might be a feel thing.  The controls of the MkV feel very different from any Japanese car I've ever driven.  Better, but also different.

The B6 Passat 2.0T is a pretty quick car (it doesn't weigh that much more than a Jetta GLI), and again, the engine takes to light mods like an ECU tune really well.  2.0T plus $600 chip equals 25% more horsepower and nearly 50% more torque.  Plus, the stick only came in the basic models, so they'll be dirt cheap to buy.  Also worth looking at a CC, although they're not that practical.  My friend has one, and it was shocking how much more usable space my Jetta had for being much smaller. 

I suggested the A3 because I thought you might appreciate a little extra luxury over the GTI, though I probably wouldn't buy one myself; all benefits of that generation A3 are marginal.  I don't even think we got the AWD models in stick here.  And the RX-8 because it made it into your 20mpg cutoff and is easy to get child seats into.  Trunk's small though, don't know about a stroller.  Personally, I wouldn't buy one.  Horrible gas mileage, questionable reliability.  And the M3 was tongue-in-cheek. 

If I got any VW it would have to be a VR6 (and if I did an Audi it would have to be a turbo V6 or V8). Just not crazy about their 4 bangers. MK3/4 GTI were bad cause they got crazy heavy w/o adding enough power. But the VR6s did. I would rock the shit out of a GTI VR6, if not for the reliability. Passat VR6 sounds nice but again Altima/Maxima V6 is a safer choice.

RX-8 is a dynamic beast but again the gas mileage/performance tradeoff is just too great for me.

[GoCougs]

Terrible thread.

[2o6]

Terrible thread.

I sort of agree...

[Raza]

I do like the 1st gen G35. I could do a sedan. G37 is too heavy, too complicated and not much faster. Any connectivity gap could be closed by the aftermarket. Raza is def gonna wind up in a G37 convertible, once they make them in stickshift.
If I got any VW it would have to be a VR6 (and if I did an Audi it would have to be a turbo V6 or V8). Just not crazy about their 4 bangers. MK3/4 GTI were bad cause they got crazy heavy w/o adding enough power. But the VR6s did. I would rock the shit out of a GTI VR6, if not for the reliability. Passat VR6 sounds nice but again Altima/Maxima V6 is a safer choice.

You do realize that the V6 MkIV GTI was slower to 60 than the 1.8T, right?  I know you hate turbos for no reason, and that's stupid, so you should get a car with VW's 2.0T.

[Raza]

Terrible thread.

I sort of agree...

Glad you two are contributing so much to make it better then.

[Cookie Monster]

I sort of agree...

Your suggestion would probably just be a 1998 Ford ZX-2 or something.

[Raza]

Two Yarises, James May style. 

[Vinsanity]

Two Yarises, James May style. 

I see that more as 2o6 Kevin's next car

[2o6]

Your suggestion would probably just be a 1998 Ford ZX-2 or something.

I suggested a few cars a couple pages back, they got shot down.

[Raza]

I see that more as 2o6 Kevin's next car

Nah, Sporty's into big engines, so that will have an inline 8.  They don't even make those anymore. 

[S204STi]

WRX waggin.

-Can haul four adults up a mountain pass without breaking a sweat; in the snow.
-HUGE aftermarket for whatever your priorities happen to be; handling, power, or both.
-Won't break unless you hit it really hard with the Idiot stick.

[Laconian]

WRX waggin.

[CALL_911]

I'm a little surprised you aren't more of a Scoob guy, Sporty. They seem like they'd be more or less right up your alley.

IMO, a hawkeye WRX wagon is calling your name.